AREN'T AMERICANS THE GUN-TOTING RACISTS?:

Liberals field fewest minorities (NAOMI CARNIOL, MORGAN CAMPBELL AND CHRISTIAN COTRONEO, 1/04/06, Toronto Star)

The federal Liberals, long identified with new Canadians, trail the NDP and Conservatives in fielding candidates from visible minorities in Greater Toronto.

Among 135 major-party candidates vying for 45 federal ridings, the Conservatives tie the NDP with 10 visible-minority candidates. The Liberals are running six. Nominations closed yesterday.

If the race for fresh faces seems underwhelming, the prospect for greater black representation in Parliament may be downright bleak. Three GTA candidates are black, all of them running under the NDP banner.